Anuario Brasileiro do Cobre | Brazilian Copper Yearbook 2020

Anuário Brasileiro do Cobre Brazilian Copper Yearbook 2020 47 Smart homes: a growing market Did you know that Smart Homes need a lot of copper and this consequently increases the demand for this metal? T he Smart Homes market is a potential niche for the copper industry, according to new research by the International Copper Association - ICA. It is estimated that by 2030 1.5 million tons of copper will be used. Another relevant fact is that copper demand can be doubled by 2021, due to the increasing use of cables, wires, batteries and other electrical components. By virtue of the expected installation of 1.6 million intelligent systems by 2023, research by BSRIA, a British company, predicts a large growth of this market. For a home to have its smart system, it is a must to install cabling to integrate it. Because copper is one of the leading metals in cable and electrical components, Smart Homes provide a good market perspective. According to BSRIA Business Manager Anette Meyer Holley, the assessment for 2018-2030 indicates that the worldwide market for smart home systems will grow by 21%. The main reason is the increased demand for equipment that uses voice control commands, security, power management, appliance drive systems and others. With the increasing usage of smart devices, copper consumption increases proportionally. Colin Benett, ICA’s Market Intelligence Manager, explains that copper is a component of these devices primarily for the reliability it offers.